Mass Deployment of Communication Headset Systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for programming base units of communication headset systems with new or updated configuration parameters by a portable or handheld programming unit.

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods forconfiguring base units of communication headset systems with new orupdated configuration parameters by a portable or handheld programmingunit.

BACKGROUND

A headset system comprises a headset, often designated “portable part”,coupled to a base unit, often designated “fixed part”, through a wiredor wireless communication channel or line. Such headset systems arewell-known in the art. Headsets are highly popular communication devicesin wide-spread use since they facilitate hands-free working efficiencyand wireless mobility allowing one-way or two-way communication betweena headset user and a distant talker.

The base unit is normally connected to a desktop phone or switch boardvia a wired two-way communication interface allowing the user toinitiate, answer and end telephone calls through the headset byappropriate manipulation of control buttons or switches on the headsetor the base unit.

Large enterprises such as call-centres or office environments typicallycomprise a large number of individual headsets systems such as more than50, 100, 1000 or even more headset systems.

The base units of these headset systems may need to be configured withthe same and appropriate base configuration parameters to provide auniform standardized setup throughout the enterprise. However, in priorart headset systems programming/configuration orre-programming/re-configuration of the base units have been effected byapplying complex actuation patterns to certain push or switch buttonsresiding on the base unit housings. For setups or installations with alarge number of headset systems, this methodology for configuration ofbase units tends to be time-consuming for the system administrator ortedious and error-prone if carried out by the individual headset users.

Since these headset systems often lack traditional data networkconnectivity (save for the actual telephone network itself) that wouldallow traditional mass deployment tools to be used to configure orre-configure the large number of base units, an efficient and safeprocedure for configuring or re-configuring the large number of baseunits with the same base configuration parameters is highly desirable.

In the present base context configuration parameters at least compriseparameters relating to interface settings between the base unit and atelecommunication device such as a desktop phone or a computer devicehosting a softphone application. The interface settings including e.g.termination switch setting, microphone gain setting, transmit volumesetting, hook-switch protocol selection, RF range/RF power selection,sound mode selection, audio sampling frequency, protection levelselection (e.g. IntelliTone®) etc.

These base configuration parameters are distinct from personal oruser-adjustable preference parameters like volume setting, frequencyresponse equalization, etc.

EP 2204972 A1 discloses a complex automated setup routine that must becarried out for each individual headset system to configure e.g.termination switch settings and microphone gain of the headset system'stelephone interface unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,283,635 B1 discloses a headset with built-in memory tostore user specific parameter settings relating to headset performancecharacteristics. A host adapter may communicate with the headset througha serial communication port of the headset. The host adapter may readthe headset performance characteristics and adjust signal transmitted toand received from the headset in accordance thereto.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure relates to method of configuring a baseunit of a communication headset system by means of a portableprogramming unit, the method comprising steps of:

i) determining a set of base configuration parameters related to aninterface between the base unit and a telecommunication device,ii) storing the set of base configuration parameters in the portableprogramming unit,iii) connecting the portable programming unit to the base unit through adata interface,iv) detecting and receiving the set of base configuration parameters inthe base unit,v) storing the set of received base configuration parameters in the baseunit.

The present methodology for configuring or programming a base unit of aheadset system allows a plurality of base units to be configured with anidentical and appropriate set of base configuration parameters in anefficient manner to provide a uniform or standardized headset setupthroughout a certain part of an enterprise or the entire enterprise. Byutilizing the present configuration methodology, a system administratorcan avoid time consuming and error prone programming or re-programmingof individual base units by application of complex button/switchactuation patterns. Furthermore, it is not necessary for each individualheadset system to have initiated a very complex processor resourceconsuming and time consuming setup routine automatically running on thebase unit. Often these automated routines still need some kind of manualinteraction during the setup of the base unit configuration parameters.

The base configuration parameters are related to an interface betweenthe base unit and a telecommunication device, such as a telephone deviceconnected to a telephone line, the telephone line may comprise ananalogue or a digital telephone line. The digital telephone line maycomprise a standardized or proprietary data interface. The standardizeddata interface may comprise a USB interface, Firewire interface, IIC orEthernet interface coupled to a digital hardware telephone or a softwarephone application.

The method of configuring the base unit may further comprise, prior tostep ii) above, transferring the set of base configuration parameters tothe portable programming unit from a base configuration parameter hostdevice, such as a reference headset base unit, a local or remote serveror a personal computer device. The parameter host device may comprise adatabase for storing base configuration parameters and a data interfacefor uploading and/or downloading the configuration parameters to and/orfrom the host device. In this way the right set of base unit parametersmay be loaded into the portable programming unit from an alreadyconfigured base unit (reference base unit) or directly via a suitabledata interface from the system administrator's server or from e.g. theheadset system vendor's server or from a personal computer. The set ofparameters may be downloaded from the server as a file download. Theserver may comprise a database of configuration parameters correspondingto interfaces between headset base units and different types oftelephone systems. The database may be maintained and/or hosted by thevendor of the headset systems.

In one embodiment, the method of configuring the base unit comprisessteps of:

a) writing the set of base configuration parameters to a predeterminedmemory space of an electronic memory of a reference base unit,b) removing the portable programming unit from the reference base unit,c) coupling the portable programming unit to a second base unit throughthe data interface,d) detecting and receiving the set of base configuration parameters inthe second base unit,e) writing the set of received base configuration parameters to apredetermined memory space of the second base unit.

Operations or steps performed in the host device such as determining theset of base configuration parameters, writing the set of baseconfiguration parameters to a predetermined memory space andtransferring the set of base configuration parameters to the portableprogramming unit through the data interface are preferably executedunder control of a suitably programmed microprocessor in accordance witha corresponding set of program instructions. Alternatively, one or moreof these steps may be entirely or at least partly executed by hard-wiredapplication specific logic circuitry, possibly including programmablelogic. Likewise, steps d) and e) in the second base unit, may beexecuted under control of a suitably programmed microprocessor inaccordance with a set of program instructions or hard-wired applicationspecific logic circuitry or any combination of both.

A large number of individual base units may be configured orre-configured by the system administrator for mass deployment ofconfiguration parameters. Advantageously the method may be repeated fora number of further base units by repeating steps iii), iv) and v) orsteps c), d) and e) to configure the further base unit(s) with the sameset of base configuration parameters. The system administrator may carrythe portable programming unit from one base unit to the next one andcouple the portable programming unit to the next base unit wherein thepresence of base configuration parameters is detected once datacommunication has been established between the portable programming unitand the base unit in question. Subsequently, the set of baseconfiguration parameters is read from the portable unit and stored inthe predetermined memory space of the second base unit. Thepredetermined memory space may comprise non-volatile memory such asEEPROM or Flash memory.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises, transmitting anaudible, a tactile or a visible confirmation signal from the base unitconfirming storage of the set of base configuration parameters. Theconfirmation signal informs the system administrator or headset user ofa successful configuration or re-configuration of the second base unitand likewise for any further base units to be configured orre-configured. A visible confirmation signal may be displayed as text orsymbol(s) on an existing display of the base unit or as by a particularlighting sequence of an indicator LED mounted on the base unit. Theconfirmation signal may alternatively be displayed on a display or LEDindicator mounted on the portable programming unit.

According to one preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the portableprogramming unit comprises a headset. Further headset systems may beconfigured by means of the same headset and the headset may be of thesame make and model as all or some of the other headsets of the headsetsystems. This embodiment of the disclosure saves resources and expensesthat would be associated with fabrication of dedicated portableprogramming units. Instead existing headsets are adapted to act asprogramming units for the plurality of base units. Furthermore, physicalcoupling between the second base unit, or other base units, and theportable programming unit is simplified because of the existinginteroperability, i.e. the already mating shapes of respective housingsand programming/data interface terminals of the base unit and theheadset.

The portable programming unit is preferably adapted to operate in atleast two distinct operation modes. A first non-programming mode may,when the portable programming unit is a headset, be a normal operationmode where the headset has been be paired with a specific base unit ofthe headset system. In the normal operation mode, the headset may beused to initialize, conduct and terminate telephone conversations by aheadset user. In a second mode, or programming mode, the set of baseconfiguration parameters, which has been loaded into the memory space ofthe portable programming unit at a predetermined memory address, is madeaccessible to the base units. In the latter mode, the headset isfurthermore capable of identifying itself as a programming unit to thesecond base unit and any further base units upon physical and electricalinterconnection or coupling thereto. The portable programming unit mayconveniently be configured to enter the second mode (programming mode)by manipulating a portable programming unit actuator with apredetermined gesture to alter or switch the operation mode of theportable programming unit from a non-programming mode to a programmingmode.

The portable programming unit actuator may comprise a user-operablepush-button, switch, pressure sensor etc or comprise a microphone boomor other portions of a headset with built-in actuator functionality. Thepredetermined gesture may comprise a particular pattern of depression ormanipulation of the actuator such as a prolonged depression for exampleextending for a period of time exceeding 3, 5 or 10 seconds. It may alsoinvolve movement of the headset boom into a different orientation (f.exboom up, then down or the opposite, or boom swing out/in, etc.) Rapidmovement of the headset (shaking head, nodding head, etc) with amovement sensor in the headset could be used as the triggering gesturewhich would be hands free.

The set of base configuration parameters comprises at least oneparameter selected from a group of {termination switch setting such asfor receive and transmit signals, microphone gain setting, transmitvolume setting, hook-switch protocol selection such as for electronichook-switching, RF range/RF power selection, sound mode selection, audiosampling frequency, protection level selection}. In addition, parametersrelated to user-preference settings may be added to the set of baseconfiguration parameters to provide all users of the headset systemswith a uniform setting of the user-preference parameters.

The method ensures the right interface settings between the headset baseunit and a telecommunication device. The telecommunication device maycomprise a telephone device such as an analogue or digital PSTNtelephone, an IP telephone, a cordless or wireless telephone or acomputer device with an installed softphone application.

A second aspect of the disclosure relates to a portable programming unitfor transferring configuration parameters to a base unit of a headsetsystem, comprising:

-   -   a portable unit memory space configured to store a set of base        configuration parameters related to an interface between the        base unit and a telecommunication device,    -   a data interface connectable to a data interface of the base        unit,    -   a processor configured to receive the set of base configuration        parameters through the data interface and store the set of base        configuration parameters in the portable unit memory space,    -   an actuator configured to, in response to a predetermined        gesture, alter an operation mode of the portable programming        unit between a non-programming mode and a programming mode.

In a preferred embodiment the portable programming unit comprises aheadset.

Possible embodiments and functions of the predetermined gesture and theactuator or headset actuator are described above in connection with thefirst aspect of the disclosure. The portable programming unit preferablycomprises a headset such as a headset of the same make and model asother headsets of the communication headset systems to be programmed orconfigured in accordance with the first aspect of the presentdisclosure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the portable programming unit,the actuator is operatively connected to the processor and the processorconfigured to detect the predetermined gesture and alter betweenoperation modes in response thereto. The actuator may produce a logicsignal that is conveyed to a suitable input port of the processorallowing the processor to determine a state of the actuator. The inputport of the processor may be adapted to detect a rising or falling edgeor a level of the logic signal produced by the actuator. The processormay comprise a programmed or programmable microprocessor ormicro-controller. Suitable microprocessors are available from manysources such as National Semiconductor and ARM. An ARM® processor maycomprise microprocessor models such as ARM7TDMI, ARM Cortex M3, etc.

The portable unit memory space may be integrated together with theprocessor and comprise EEPROM or flash memory. Alternatively, theportable unit memory space may be situated in dedicated memory devicesor chips coupled to the processor through a suitable electrical memoryinterface, such an I2C based serial interface, which allows theprocessor to read and write the set of base configuration parameters andother data to a memory segment or address range of the portable unitmemory space.

The set of base configuration parameters, stored in the portable unitmemory space, preferably comprises at least one parameter selected froma group of {termination switch setting, microphone gain setting,transmit volume setting, hook-switch protocol selection, RF range/RFpower selection, sound mode selection, audio sampling frequency,protection level selection}.

A third aspect of the disclosure relates to a communication headsetsystem comprising:

a base unit comprising:

-   -   a data interface connectable to a portable programming unit,    -   a base memory space configured to store a set of base        configuration parameters related to an interface between the        base unit and a telecommunication device,        a portable programming unit comprising:    -   a data interface connectable to the data interface of the base        unit,    -   a portable unit memory space configured to store the set of base        configuration parameters,    -   a processor configured to receive the set of base configuration        parameters through the data interface and write the set of base        configuration parameters to the portable unit memory space,    -   an actuator configured to, in response to a predetermined        gesture, switch operation mode of the portable programming unit        between a non-programming mode and a programming mode.

The data interface between the base unit and the portable programmingunit may comprise a wireless data interface. In that case transferringconfiguration parameters may be done wirelessly with or withoutphysically docking the portable programming unit in the cradle of thebase unit.

The respective functions and features of the portable programming unitand the base unit may naturally comprise one or more of the previouslydescribed features of these devices in accordance with the first andsecond aspects of the disclosure. The base unit may for examplecomprises anyone of an audible, a tactile, a visible confirmation signalgenerator adapted to confirm storage of the set of configurationparameters in the base unit to a user.

This summary has been provided to assist the reader in understanding thefull disclosure contained in this document. The summary is not intendedas a limitation of the invention. The claims define the scope of patentsgranted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the disclosure will be described in moredetail in connection with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a) depicts operation modes of a headset for a headset system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 1 b) illustrates steps for preparing or configuring the headset foroperating as a programming unit for a base unit of the headset system,

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating logic steps executed by a headsetprocessor to set an operation mode of the headset; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating logic steps executed on a second baseunit of the headset system in order to read selected base configurationparameters from the headset.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 a) shows how to change between operation modes of a headset inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The headset ispreferably a modified version of a normal headset such as a GN Netcommodel GN9330, wherein a dedicated set of program instructions providesadditional functionality in the programming unit mode of operation. Anexisting actuator of the headset in combination with a subset of thededicated set of program instructions is preferably utilized to detectthe predetermined gesture and facilitate switching between normaloperation mode and the programming unit mode. In this manner, theinventive headset may be completely identical to a normal or standardheadset in terms of physical construction and components and theadditional functionality provided solely by the dedicated set of programinstructions or dedicated software routine or application. Asillustrated on FIG. 1 a), consecutive actuations of the actuator or modebutton with the predetermined gesture lead to a switching forth and backbetween the normal operation mode 11 and the programming mode 13 of theheadset.

FIG. 1 b) illustrates steps for preparing or configuring the headset foroperating in the headset system. In step 15, the reference base unit isprepared to transmit or upload the set of base configuration parametersto the above-described headset. In step 15, the set of baseconfiguration parameters of the reference base unit are determined bythe system administrator or any other competent individual by performinga sequence of analytical and/or experimental activities on a headsetsystem comprising the reference base unit and a headset of the same typeas the present headset. The sequence of analytical and/or experimentalactivities aim at determining optimal or appropriate parameter valuesfor selected base configuration parameters such as one or more of thegroup of {termination switch setting, microphone gain setting, transmitvolume setting, hook-switch protocol selection, RF range/RF powerselection, sound mode selection, audio sampling frequency, protectionlevel selection} in a particular headset system installation or setupcomprising a plurality of individual headset systems.

Subsequently, in step 16 the system administrator places the headset ina docking cradle of the base unit (not shown). The placement of theheadset in the docking cradle automatically establishes electricalconnection through a combined power and data interface, in a preferredembodiment this combined power and data interface comprises threeconnections or lines in form of +5V DC supply voltage, ground and UARTconnections extending between the headset and the base unit via threepairs of mating terminals (not shown). In step 17, the systemadministrator applies the predetermined gesture to the mode button ofthe headset so as to place the headset in the programming unit mode.Subsequently, the previously determined base configuration parameters,now stored in a non-volatile memory space of the reference base unit,are automatically transferred or uploaded to the headset through thepreviously mentioned data interface.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 20 illustrating logic steps executed by a headsetprocessor to determine the operation mode of the headset. In step 21,the headset processor determines whether or not the headset is docketedin a cradle of a base unit. If the answer is yes, the processor proceedsto step 22 and determines whether the headset is paired to the baseunit. If the answer is no, the processor proceeds to step 23 and resumesnormal operation for example through a wired or wireless communicationlink between the headset and the base unit.

If the headset is not paired to the base unit, the headset processorproceeds to step 24 and executes a pairing process or procedure in anordinary manner well known to the skilled person. On the other hand ifthe headset processor determined that the headset was already paired tothe base unit in question in step 22, the headset processor skips thepairing process and proceeds directly to step 26. In step 26, theheadset processor monitors a logic state, or another suitable feature,of a mode signal generated by the mode button in response to actuationthereof. If the mode signal fails to indicate the presence of thegesture, the headset processor proceeds to step 28 wherein the operatingmode of the headset is set to normal operation. The headset processormaintains the normal operation mode while monitoring the mode signal andthe headset user can utilize the headset in an ordinary manner to placeor receive telephone calls and conduct phone conversations.

When the headset processor in step 26 detects the presence of a gesturevia the mode signal, the processor proceeds to step 27 and the headsetenters the programming unit mode. In the programming unit mode, theheadset is adapted to operate as a portable programming unit ready toconvey the selected base configuration parameters to all or a sub-set ofa second and further base units of the installation as described belowin further detail with reference to FIG. 3. After entry of theprogramming unit mode in step 27, the headset processor proceeds to step29 where the headset processor continues to monitor the logic state ofthe mode signal generated by the mode button and if no gesture isdetected the headset processor maintains the headset in the programmingunit mode as illustrated while the processor switches the headset tonormal operation mode in step 29 in response to detection of the gestureon the mode button.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating certain logic steps executed on asecond base unit of a headset system in order to read the selected baseconfiguration parameters from the headset and store these asconfiguration parameters of the second base unit. In a first step 31 thesystem administrator inserts a headset in the cradle of the second baseunit. This step is preferably manual, but may of course be effected byan automatic or semi-automatic device such as a robotic device. It mayalso be done wirelessly by proximity of the headset in range of the basestation. The base station and/or headset would preferablyacknowledge/accept the download by some form of handshake orauthorization so that the correct base station is affected if twostations are proximity. In step 32, the headset and the second base unitconduct an initial dialogue or handshake through the previouslydescribed combined data and power interface. After the handshake in step32, the processor of the second base unit determines or detects whetherthe connected headset is an ordinary headset or a headset typecomprising base configuration parameters in accordance with the presentdisclosure. This recognition or distinction may for example be made byreading the content of a certain memory address or addresses of theheadset. Alternatively, the distinction may be made by examining contentof the data exchanged during the initial handshake in step 32. If theconnected headset comprises the base configuration parameters, theprocessor of the second base unit proceeds to step 34 to read and copythe set of base configuration parameters by writing this to the memoryspace or segment allocated for storage of configuration parameters inthe second base unit. Once the set of base configuration parameters hasbeen safely stored in the appropriate memory space of the second baseunit, the processor proceeds to step 35 where an end of configuration orre-configuration of the second base unit is indicated to the systemadministrator (or another individual responsible for the deployment ofthe headset systems) for example through an audible, a tactile or avisible confirmation signal.

In response to the confirmation signal, which indicates a successfulprogramming or reprogramming of the second base unit, the systemadministrator may remove the headset from the cradle in step 36 andoptionally proceed to programming a third and further base units byrepeating the above-outlined steps 31-36.

In an alternative embodiment of the disclosure, the above describedcombined power and data interface is replaced by a wireless interfaceand data protocol such as Bluetooth or DECT to eliminate the pairs ofmating physical terminals associated with the combined power and datainterface.

1. A method of configuring a base unit of a communication headset systemby means of a portable programming unit, the method comprising steps of:i) determining a set of base configuration parameters related to aninterface between the base unit and a telecommunication device, ii)storing the set of base configuration parameters in the portableprogramming unit, iii) connecting the portable programming unit to thebase unit through a data interface, iv) detecting and receiving the setof base configuration parameters in the base unit, v) storing the set ofreceived base configuration parameters in the base unit.
 2. A method ofconfiguring a base unit of a communication headset system according toclaim 1, further comprising, prior to step ii): transferring the set ofbase configuration parameters to the portable programming unit from abase configuration parameter host device, such as a reference headsetbase unit, a local or remote server or a personal computer device.
 3. Amethod of configuring a base unit of a communication headset systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the parameter host device comprises adatabase for storing base configuration parameters and a data interfacefor uploading and/or downloading the configuration parameters to and/orfrom the host device.
 4. A method of configuring a base unit of acommunication headset system according to claim 1, the method comprisingsteps of: a) writing the set of base configuration parameters to apredetermined memory space of an electronic memory of a reference baseunit, b) removing the portable programming unit from the reference baseunit, c) coupling the portable programming unit to a second base unitthrough the data interface, d) detecting and receiving the set of baseconfiguration parameters in the second base unit, e) writing the set ofreceived base configuration parameters to a predetermined memory spaceof the second base unit.
 5. A method of configuring a base unit of acommunication headset system according to claim 1, comprising: for anumber of further base units, repeating steps iii), iv) and v) or stepsc), d) and e) to configure the further base unit(s) with the set of baseconfiguration parameters.
 6. A method of configuring a base unit of acommunication headset system according to claim 1, comprising:transmitting an audible, a tactile or a visible confirmation signal fromthe base unit confirming storage of the set of base configurationparameters.
 7. A method of configuring a base unit of a communicationheadset system according to claim 1, wherein the portable programmingunit comprises a headset.
 8. A method of configuring a base unit of acommunication headset system according to claim 7, wherein furtherheadset systems are configured by means of the same headset and theheadset is of the same make and model as other headsets of the headsetsystems.
 9. A method of configuring a base unit of a communicationheadset system according to claim 4, comprising a step of: manipulating,prior to step iii) of claim 1—or prior to step c) of claim 4, anportable programming unit actuator with a predetermined gesture to alteran operation mode of the portable programming unit from anon-programming mode to a programming mode.
 10. A method of configuringa base unit of a communication headset system according to claim 1,wherein the set of base configuration parameters comprises at least oneparameter selected from a group of {termination switch setting,microphone gain setting, transmit volume setting, hook-switch protocolselection, RF range/RF power selection, sound mode selection, audiosampling frequency, protection level selection}.
 11. A method ofconfiguring a base unit of a communication headset system according toclaim 1, wherein the telecommunication device comprises a telephonedevice such as an analogue or digital PSTN telephone, an IP telephone, acordless or wireless telephone or a computer device with an installedsoftphone application.
 12. A portable programming unit for transferringconfiguration parameters to a base unit of a headset system, comprising:a portable unit memory space configured to store a set of baseconfiguration parameters related to an interface between the base unitand a telecommunication device, a data interface connectable to a datainterface of the base unit, a processor configured to receive the set ofbase configuration parameters through the data interface and store theset of base configuration parameters in the portable unit memory space,an actuator configured to, in response to a predetermined gesture, alteran operation mode of the portable programming unit between anon-programming mode and a programming mode.
 13. A portable programmingunit according to claim 12, wherein the portable programming unitcomprises a headset.
 14. A portable programming unit according to claim12, wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the processor, theprocessor being configured to detect the predetermined gesture andswitch between operation modes in response thereto.
 15. A portableprogramming unit according to claim 12, wherein the actuator comprisesanyone of a user-operable push-button, switch or pressure sensor orcomprises a microphone boom.
 16. A portable programming unit accordingto claim 12, wherein the set of base configuration parameters, stored inthe portable unit memory space, comprises at least one parameterselected from a group of {termination switch setting, microphone gainsetting, transmit volume setting, hook-switch protocol selection, RFrange/RF power selection, sound mode selection, audio samplingfrequency, protection level selection}.
 17. A communication headsetsystem comprising: a base unit comprising: a data interface connectableto a portable programming unit, a base memory space configured to storea set of base configuration parameters related to an interface betweenthe base unit and a telecommunication device, a portable programmingunit comprising: a data interface connectable to the data interface ofthe base unit, a portable unit memory space configured to store the setof base configuration parameters, a processor configured to receive theset of base configuration parameters through the data interface andwrite the set of base configuration parameters to the portable unitmemory space, an actuator configured to, in response to a predeterminedgesture, switch operation mode of the portable programming unit betweena non-programming mode and a programming mode.
 18. A communicationheadset system according to claim 17, wherein the data interface betweenthe base unit and the portable programming unit comprises a wirelessdata interface.
 19. A communication headset system according to claim17, wherein the base unit comprises anyone of an audible, a tactile anda visible confirmation signal generator adapted to confirm storage ofthe set of configuration parameters in the base unit.